Pear tree, &#39;Carolina Gold&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of pear tree “Pyrus communis L” and which is denominated varietally as ‘CAROLINA GOLD’ and which produces a relatively large russetted colored pear which is mature for harvesting and shipment on or after August 29 th  under the ecological conditions prevailing near Phoenix, Oreg.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety of pear tree, “Pyrus communis,” and which has been denominated varietally as “Carolina Gold”, hereinafter.

ORIGIN

The present variety of pear tree was discovered by the inventor within the cultivated region of his orchard, in 2003, as a chance mutation of a Bartlett pear tree (unpatented) that was then four years old. The particular tree upon which the mutation was found had previously been trained into a central leader system. The mutation occurred along the central axis of the tree at a point of about 90 cm. from the orchard floor. The mutation was identified during harvesting operations, and was marked for subsequent observation and repropagation thereafter.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

The asexual reproduction of this new and distinct variety of pear tree was accomplished by grafting the mutation onto existing pear trees which were then four years. The existing pear trees had been propagated onto Pyrus betulaefolia pear rootstock. This first asexual repropagation of the present variety was made in the same orchard of discovery which is located at 3721 Colver Road in Phoenix, Oreg. The fruit produced from this first asexual reproduction were subsequently examined and compared against the fruit produced from the originally discovered mutation. All the characteristics of the originally mutated tree and its fruit appear to have been established and transmitted through this succeeding asexual propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

Carolina Gold is a new and distinct variety of pear tree which is considered equal to or larger than the fruit produced from the parent Bartlett pear tree and which further has a russeted skin color which is quite distinctive relative to the Bartlett pear tree (unpatented) at full commercial maturity. In addition to the foregoing, the present variety appears to hold well on the tree, and it further appears that the variety could be successfully harvested over a period of two or three weeks if necessary. The present variety has a date of harvesting which is about 10 days to as much as two weeks later than Bartlett pear trees growing in the same geographical area, and under similar environmental conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing which is provided is a color photograph of the new present variety. The photograph depicts two mature fruit both of which have been dissected substantially in the longitudinal plane and which reveals the flesh and the external coloration of the fruit is further shown. Additionally, the photograph displays a sample vegetative shoot bearing typical leaves. The colors in this photograph are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates as provided in The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 3^(rd) Edition, and the descriptions as provided for hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION.

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of pear tree, the following has been observed during the 2005 fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at orchards which are located near Phoenix, Oreg. All major color code designations are by reference to the RHS Colour Chart, 3^(rd) Edition provided by The Royal Horticulture Society of Great Britain. Common color names are also occasionally used.

-   Tree:     -   -   Vigor.—Average to above average in vigor and considered             somewhat more vigorous than the parent Bartlett pear tree             variety (unpatented).         -   Hardiness.—The present variety appears to be hardy when             grown under the climatic conditions prevailing in the             Medford pear-growing district of Oregon.         -   Form.—Generally speaking, it is upright to             upright-spreading.         -   Size.—Height — 5.2 to about 5.5 meters.         -   Size.—Width — About 2.74 meters when grown in an orchard,             and wherein the rows have a width of about 4.27 meters.         -   Current season growth.—About 38 cm. to as much as 114 cm. on             vigorous current season shoots.         -   Pruning.—The present variety has been pruned annually into a             central leader system and wherein a single trunk is             maintained in a vertical position with smaller secondary             limbs arising from the central leader.         -   Productivity.—Appears to be productive.         -   Regularity of Bearing.—Regular. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Considered average in size, and having a             measurement of about 13 cm. to about 14 cm. when measured at             a distance of about 20 cm. above ground level.         -   Bark Surface.—Generally — Variable and considered roughened             and slightly cracked with areas of light scarfskin.             Remaining areas of the bark are relatively smooth.         -   Bark color.—Generally speaking, it is considered grey (Fan             4, Sheet 201-C).         -   Bark lenticels.—Numbers — Numerous and further exhibiting a             flattened oval appearance.         -   Bark lenticels.—Surface Texture — Rough, calloused and             slightly raised.         -   Bark lenticels.—Size — About 1 to about 8 mm. in width; and             about 1 to about 1.5 mm. in height.         -   Bark lenticels.—Color — Brown (Fan 4, Sheet 166-D). -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Average in size and diameter for the species. The             largest branches arising from the central tree axis range in             size from about 5 to 6 cm. in diameter at their base.         -   Surface texture.—Similar to the trunk as described above.             The surface texture is considered relatively smooth with             light netting and scarfskin present.         -   Branch lenticels.—Numbers — Moderate.         -   Branch color.—Grey (Fan 4, Sheet 201-C).         -   Lateral branches.—Size — Ranging from 1 to about 3.5 cm. in             diameter at the base.         -   Lateral branches.—Color — The color of 2 year old and older             lateral branches surfaces is grey (Fan 4, Sheet 201-D).         -   2 Year old lateral shoots.—Surface Texture — Considered             relatively smooth and having light scattered pubescence, or             none at all.         -   2 Year old lateral wood.—Lenticels — Present and variable in             form from roughly oval to nearly diamond shaped in the             vertical plane.         -   Lenticels.—Numbers — Numerous and variable in form.         -   Lenticels.—Size — About 1.5 mm. to about 3 mm. in width; and             about 1.5 mm. to about 4.5 mm. in height.         -   Lenticels.—Surface Texture — Considered calloused.         -   Lenticels.—Surface Color — Calloused lenticels have a             brownish color (Fan 4, Sheet 166-D).         -   Color.—Current Season Growth — Variable from Brown (Fan 4,             Sheet 199-A), on more mature shoots; to a green color (Fan             3, Sheet 152-A) on less mature shoots.         -   Current seasons shoots.—Surface Texture — Relatively smooth             with light pubescence and having numerous brown lenticels.         -   Lenticels.—Current Season Growth — The lenticels are roughly             oval in form with a vertical measurement varying from about             1.5 mm. to about 3.5 mm. in height, and varying in width             from about 1 mm. to about 2 mm.         -   Current season shoots.—Internode Length — Variable. However,             most commonly from about 20 mm. to about 35 mm. between             nodes.         -   Spurs.—Generally — Usually can be found along older lateral             branches.         -   Spurs.—Size — About 4 mm. to about 6 mm. in diameter at             their base, and about 10 to as much as 50 mm. in length.         -   Spurs.—Internode Length — Variable and generally speaking             within a range of about 2 mm. to about 6 mm. between the             nodes.         -   Spurs.—Surface Texture — Considered similar to that of 2             year old and older lateral shoots. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Generally considered medium for the species.             Measurements of the present leaves have been taken from             those leaves growing near mid-shoot on upright and vigorous             current season shoots.         -   Length.—About 7.2 cm. to about 12.5 cm., including the leaf             petiole.         -   Width.—About 4 cm. to about 6 cm.         -   Thickness.—Considered average for the species.         -   Surface texture.—Upper Leaf Surface — Pubescent, however,             the pubescence is widely scattered.         -   Surface texture.—Lower Leaf Surface — More pubescent             relatively speaking than the upper surface.         -   Surface Texture.—Moderately rugose, and more so in relative             comparison to the leaves of the Bartlett pear tree.         -   Leaf glands.—No leaf glands appear to be present on the             leaf.         -   Leaf form.—Generally — Variable, that is from ovate to             broadly ovate, and less frequently approaching obovate.         -   Leaf apices.—Shape — Variable. Most frequently, these leaf             apices are acute in form, but rounded and acuminate forms             can also be found.         -   Leaf base.—Shape — Variable from rounded to moderately             acute. The leaves are only moderately folded upwardly from             the mid-rib.         -   Leaf color.—Upper Leaf Surface — Green (Fan 3, Sheet 137-B).         -   Leaf color.—Lower Leaf Surface — Light green (Fan 3, Sheet             138-C).         -   Leaf vein coloration.—Yellow-Green (Fan 3, Sheet 145-B).             This color appears on both the upper and lower leaf             surfaces.         -   Leaf margin.—Shape — Considered variable, but most             frequently serrate in form with relatively large serrations.             The serration apices are rather oblique.         -   Leaf marginal form.—Considered moderately undulate.         -   Leaf petioles.—Size — Generally considered average for the             species.         -   Leaf petioles.—Length — Variable from 16 mm. to as much as             36 mm. in length.         -   Leaf petioles.—Thickness — About 1 mm. to about 2 mm. in             thickness when measured at mid-petiole.         -   Petiole shape.—Usually appears slightly thicker at the             petiole base.         -   Petiole color.—Yellow-Green (Fan 3, Sheet 145-B), and having             areas of darker green coloration along ridges which subtend             the petiole groove (Fan 3, Sheet 144-B).         -   Petiole surface texture.—Lightly pubescent. The pubescence             is finely scattered. Still further, the pubescence is more             dense in and around the petiole groove.         -   Leaf stipules.—Numbers — Considered average in frequency and             typically arising from the leaf petiole.         -   Leaf stipules.—Position — Typically found in a region which             is about 1 mm. to about 8 mm. above the base of the petiole.         -   Leaf stipules.—Length — About 8 mm. to about 12 mm.         -   Leaf petioles.—Width — About 0.5 mm. to about 1 mm. in width             when measured across the stipule base.         -   Leaf stipules.—Form — Considered linear lanceolate.         -   Leaf stipules.—Marginal form — The margins are considered             serrate in shape. These serrations are relatively low and             widely spaced.         -   Leaf stipules.—Color — Variable, most frequently a             yellow-green (Fan 3, Sheet 145-C). -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—The fruit of the new variety is             described at full commercial maturity.         -   Date of harvesting.—Aug. 29, 2005 under the ecological             conditions prevailing at Phoenix, Oreg. This date of             harvesting could be extended over a period of more than two             weeks, if necessary, because the fruit holds well on the             tree. During the 2004 harvesting season, fruit of the             present variety was harvested during the first week of             September. This date of harvesting is 10 days to as much as             two weeks later than that of the Bartlett pear tree             (unpatented) at the same geographical location.         -   Size.—Generally — Considered large for the species and equal             to or slightly larger than the fruit produced by the             Bartlett pear tree (unpatented).         -   Average diameter.—About 68 mm. to about 77 mm.         -   Average height.—About 88 mm. to about 115 mm.         -   Fruit form.—Generally — Pyriform in its longitudinal aspect             and having a moderate amount of variability in the length of             the neck.         -   Fruit form.—Transverse Section — Considered globose with a             slight amount of compression.         -   Fruit uniformity.—The fruit appears quite uniform and             symmetrical throughout the tree.         -   Fruit stem.—Length — Variable from about 18 mm. to about             28 mm. Occasionally, stems over 30 mm. in length can be             found.         -   Stem.—Thickness — 4.5 mm. to 7 mm. when measured at mid             stem. The stem appears thicker at both ends, and has a             diameter of about 6 mm. to about 8 mm.         -   Stem.—Shape — Curved and having an attachment angle at the             fruit neck bearing from apical to oblique.         -   Stem color.—Brownish at commercial maturity, and having some             greenish tones. (Fan 3, Sheet 152-A).         -   Stem.—Surface Texture — Glabrous.         -   Stem.—Lenticels — Numerous, small and irregularly shaped             lenticels can be found.         -   Lenticels.—Size — About 0.5 mm. to about 1.5 mm. in             diameter.         -   Lenticels.—Color — Light tan-brown (Fan 4, Sheet 165-C).         -   Stem cavity.—Shape — Globose and occasionally unevenly oval.         -   Stem cavity.—Width — Considered narrow. From about 5 mm. to             about 8 mm. in diameter.         -   Stem cavity.—Depth — Considered shallow, about 3 mm. to             about 4 mm.         -   Stem cavity.—Surface Texture — Ridging can appear within the             stem cavity. Further, where the stem enters, the stem cavity             is wide, and relatively obtuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Shoulders — Considered rounded.         -   Fruit basin.—Shape — Considered globose and moderately             narrow and shallow.         -   Fruit basin.—Width — Variable from about 15 mm. to about 20             mm.         -   Fruit basin.—Depth — About 2 mm. to about 4 mm.         -   Fruit basin.—Shoulders — Rounded, and the basin sides vary             from smooth to moderately undulate.         -   Fruit basin.—Surface Texture — Completely russetted and             netted. Typically, concentric lines of netting encircle the             calyx opening.         -   Calyx sepals.—Generally — Persistent, and are typically             slight separated from each other from the basal attachment.         -   Calyx opening.—Shape — Variable from closed to partially             open.         -   Calyx tubes.—Length — About 10 mm. to about 13 mm.         -   Calyx tubes.—Shape — Funnel shaped. As a general matter,             stamen remnants are usually present within the calyx tube             and are located in a marginal position.         -   Core lines.—Generally — Present. These core lines are             distinct and clasping at the base of the calyx tube.         -   Fruit core.—Position — Considered distant from the stem end.             The fruit core is relatively small in relation to the             overall size of the fruit.         -   Fruit carpels.—Numbers — 5, and variable in form from             obovate to oval. The fruit carpels often have a mucronate             tip.         -   Fruit carpels.—Form — Considered closed and the inner             surface of the carpel wall is considered smooth.         -   Seeds.—Numbers — Variable from 0 to 8. With full             pollination, the fruit of the present variety has the             potential of producing 10 seeds. Where no seeds are present             within the fruit, the fruit appears to have been set by             parthenocarpy.         -   Seeds.—Shape — Plump. Although in some carpels, only             shriveled seed coats were present.         -   Seeds.—Shape — Ovate in form with an acute tip.         -   Seeds.—Length — About 6.5 mm. to about 8.5 mm.         -   Seeds.—Width — About 2.5 mm. to about 3.5 mm.         -   Seeds.—Color — At harvest time the seeds have a variable             color from a light cream color (Fan 4, sheet 158-A); to a             light brown (Fan 4, sheet 161-B). After the fruit has             softened, the seeds darken to a dark brown (Fan 4, sheet             200-D).         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness — Considered relatively thick for the             species and somewhat grainy in texture. The skin of the             present variety is noticeably thicker than the fruit skin as             found on the fruit produced by the Bartlett pear tree             (unpatented).         -   Fruit surface.—Appearance — Completely russetted.         -   Fruit skin adherence.—The fruit skin adheres to the flesh at             full commercial maturity.         -   Fruit skin color.—Progressing from a medium brown (Fan 4,             sheet 199-A) when the fruit is first matured on the tree;             but then lightening to an orange-brown (Fan 4, sheet 167-B)             after the fruit is picked and begins to soften. No blush or             ground color is visible on the fruit.         -   Fruit skin lenticels.—Numerous, small inconspicuous             lenticels are present throughout the skin surface.         -   Fruit skin lenticels.—Shape — Variable in shape and having a             generally globose form.         -   Fruit skin lenticels.—Color — Brown (Fan 4, sheet 168-C).             Occasionally, a very light bloom can be detected on some             fruit.         -   Flesh color.—White throughout the fruit (Fan 4, sheet             155-B).         -   Flesh texture.—Smooth and considered very juicy, and             occasionally a few stone cells may be found. Those stone             cells which are found are typically found in the fruit core             area and along the core lines.         -   Fruit flavor.—Generally — Considered very good, and sweet,             with a rich, somewhat spicy pear flavor. The present variety             is more acidic then the fruit produced by the Bartlett pear             tree (unpatented).         -   Aroma.—Generally — Sweet, distinct and pleasant.         -   Fruit storage.—The present variety hangs well on the tree             and ripens evenly after harvest. Early indications of the             present variety are that the storage ability is at least             equal to that of the fruit produced by the Bartlett pear             tree (unpatented).         -   Resistance to Insects and Disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present variety has not             been tested to expose or detect any susceptibilities or             resistance to             any known plant and/or fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of pear tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Phoenix, Oreg., it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes and growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticulture management are to be expected. The foregoing description does not constitute a commercial warranty. Consequently, this disclosure may not be relied upon that the present variety, when grown, will display each of the characteristics as provided for and described in the present application. Therefore, the foregoing description may not be relied upon to support claims of breach of warranty or merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose which is directed to the present variety. 

1. A new and distinct variety of pear tree substantially as illustrated and described and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing a russetted pear which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately beginning on August 29^(th) under the ecological conditions prevailing in Phoenix, Oreg. 